Bruins rally to beat Canadiens, 5-3, in Game 2

Fans cheer as Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, center, celebrates his empty-net goal with center David Krejci (46) and right wing Jarome Iginla, right, late in the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) drives Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) into the board during the third period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 5-3, tying the best-of-seven games series at one game each. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) checks Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) as Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) protects the net during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, right, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) grapple along the boards during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins left wing Daniel Paille (20) celebrates after his goal during the first period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. At left is Montreal Canadiens left wing Rene Bourque (17). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban flips the puck prior to facing the Boston Bruins in Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31)clears Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) away from the goal during the second period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins players surround goalie Tuukka Rask (40) as they celebrate their 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) and defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) check Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec (14) during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and defenseman Mike Weaver (43) both dive to make a save against a shot by Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) dumps Montreal Canadiens center David Desharnais (51) to the ice during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins players skate after celebrating center Patrice Bergeron's (37)goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien calls to his players during the second period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

An official tumbles to the ice as Boston Bruins players fight with Montreal Canadiens players during the second period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. Looking for the loose puck is Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) is congratulated by teammates Dougie Hamilton (27) and Daniel Paille (20) after beating the Montreal Canadiens during Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 5-3, tying the series at one game each. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) tries to move Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) off the puck as Bruins center David Krejci, middle, looks on during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Fans celebrate with Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after Smith's goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) skates near at right. The Bruins won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with fans during the third period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3, tying the best-of-seven games series at one game each. At left are Patrice Bergeron (37) and Brad Marchand (63). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price looks back as a shot by Boston Bruins left wing Daniel Paille gets past for a goal during the first period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18) celebrates in front of fans after scoring goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3, tying the best-of-seven games series at one game each. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin (74) tangle during the first period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask pounces on a loose puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and defenseman Mike Weaver (43) both move to protect against a shot by Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, right, tangles with Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) during the third period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 5-3, tying the best-of-seven games series at one game each. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Montreal Canadiens left wing Rene Bourque (17) dumps Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller to the ice during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges (26), goalie Carey Price (31) and defenseman P.K. Subban (76) react as fans celebrate with Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18), center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Brad Marchand (63) after Smith's goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3 to even the best-of-seven games series at one game apiece. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) celebrates his goal with fans as Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin (74) skates away during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18) celebrates in front of fans after scoring goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of Game 2 in the second-round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3, tying the best-of-seven games series at one game each. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) and defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) check Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec (14) during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Bruins won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins rallied from two goals down to avoid another two-game deficit against the archrival Montreal Canadiens.

Reilly Smith scored the go-ahead goal with 3:32 left and Boston scored four times in eight minutes to beat the Canadiens, 5-3, yesterday and even the Eastern Conference semifinals at one game apiece.

“It was a fun last part of the third period,” said Torey Krug, who set up Smith’s goal. “We’re very excited with how things turned out, but we’ve got to move along from it pretty soon.”

Games 3 and 4 are on Tuesday and Thursday in Montreal, where in 2011 Boston won twice in its first-round series after losing the first two at home. The Bruins won the series in seven games and went on to win their first Stanley Cup title in 39 years.

Last year, the Bruins trailed Toronto by three goals with 11 minutes left in Game 7 of their first-round series before winning in overtime – scoring twice in the last 82 seconds of regulation.

Even though they know it can be done, they’re glad they won’t have to stage a similar comeback this year.

“The experience of going through this a lot the last few years helps a lot,” forward Shawn Thornton said.

The Bruins trailed 3-1 with just more than nine minutes remaining before Dougie Hamilton scored, then Patrice Bergeron tied it with 5:43 remaining. Reilly then wristed a cross-ice pass from Krug past Carey Price to give Boston the lead. Milan Lucic added an empty-net goal with 66 seconds left.

“We weren’t expecting to come in here and sweep two games,” said Price, who stopped 30 shots. “They poured it on a little and they were a little lucky, I thought. They were playing desperate at the end. We’ve just got to regroup and realize what situation we’re in. We’re in a good spot.”

Tuukka Rask had 25 saves for Boston – the first time in 10 tries in his career that he has beaten the Bruins’ Original Six rival at the TD Garden. Montreal won Game 1 in double overtime.

“The feeling of winning is a lot better,” Rask said. “I’m happy how we bounced back after we were down 3-1.”

Thomas Vanek twice tipped P.K. Subban’s slap shots into the net, and Mike Weaver also scored for the Canadiens, who lost for the first time in this year’s playoffs.

“We’ve got to find ways, when we have the lead, to finish it off,” Montreal captain Brian Gionta said. “Come playoff time, that’s a huge key to wins.”

Subban scored twice in Game 1, including a double-overtime goal that unleashed a series of racial slurs on social media.

The Bruins distanced themselves from what team President Cam Neely called “the racist, classless views expressed by an ignorant group of individuals,” and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joined in.

“We condemn bias and hatred,” he said before the game. “It has no place in our game and it’s not acceptable.”

Subban left the bench for part of the first period with an apparent hand injury. When he returned, he continued to hurt the Bruins on the power play.

He helped Montreal take a 2-1 lead with just less than two minutes left in the second period right as the first penalty in a 5-on-3 advantage was ending. On a similar play 6½ minutes into the third period, Vanek’s tip-in gave the Canadiens a 3-1 lead.

But Hamilton cut it to a one-goal deficit with 9:04 left, then Bergeron took a shot from a tough angle that bounced off Montreal defenseman Francis Bouillon and into the net to tie it. Smith gave Boston the lead, and Lucic clinched it.

NOTES

∎ The Bruins scratched Matt Bartkowski, who had the penalty at the end of Game 1, along with Justin Florek. Andrej Meszaros and Jordan Caron were added to the lineup.

∎ Thornton injured his right knee early in the third period when he went to check Subban but hit him awkwardly.

∎ Lucic had a goal disallowed when replays clearly showed he punched it in with his glove.